The first away game of the season for Cromer saw them visit the second of last year's promoted teams, Diss. A very disappointing Cromer gave away their wickets cheaply and have picked up just seven points from their opening two Alliance Premier games.

The first away game of the season for Cromer saw them visit the second of last year's promoted teams, Diss. A very disappointing Cromer gave away their wickets cheaply and have picked up just seven points from their opening two Alliance Premier games.

Saturday is the first of two successive home games, against second-from-bottom Swardeston.

In contrast, Cromer 2nd XI swept to the top of Alliance Division Five with a 205-run victory over a young Topcroft side.

First team captain Tom Davies elected to bat first at Diss. He and Ben Clarke opened but the skipper was dismissed in the second over. Clarke and Richard Charlwood stayed together for 17 overs, making 59 before Cooper claimed Clarke for 35.

After the drinks break, Diss took four wickets in six balls and Cromer collapsed to 78 for six, Tooke and Cooper ripping through the Cromer batting.

Of the tail, only Luke Barrett (13 not out) made any impression and Cromer were all out for 119 from 44.2 overs (Tooke four for 35, Cooper three for 33). Diss required just 120 runs from a maximum of 55 overs.

The Cromer bowlers caused few problems to the Diss openers but did take two wickets to pick up one bowling point as Diss reached their target after just 21.4 overs.

Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance Division Five, Cromer A (271-5 for 25pts) beat Topcroft A (66 all out, 2pts) by 205 wickets

The stars of Cromer's innings were Adrian Buck, with a dominant unbeaten 97 full of punishing strokes, and opener Richard Graveling ,with a fine, fluent 90, as the visitors' attack struggled to come to terms with the home batting. Skipper Alan Lithins got the innings off to an explosive start and Pete Gascoyne continued his good form with a cool 25 not out to see Cromer to a huge 271-5.

It proved to be more than enough. Kevin Neale, continuing his welcome return with 4-10 and John Battrick cleaning up the tail to finish with three wickets for just two runs, as Topcroft were blown away for 66.

Alex Craske and Nathan Taylor had bowled well with the new ball, and Cromer's fielding was much improved from the previous week at Brooke.

The win took Cromer to the top of Division Five with two victories, and Lithins will be hoping the good work continues at Diss, scene of 2008's legendary triumph with just nine men.